Today's Paper
» NATIONAL
» TAMIL NADU

Special mosquito control drive planned

COIMBATORE: The Department of Public Health plans a 100-day intensive mosquito control drive from April 1 in the suburbs coming under eight primary health centres.

Deputy Director of Health Services, Coimbatore, S. Senthilkumar said on Tuesday that the special drive was in view of the World Classical Tamil Conference. He told media persons at a workshop on chikungunya prevention that the drive would be carried out at Sarcarsamakulam, Kalveerampalayam, Thudialur, Podanur, Sundakkamuthur, Vellakinar, Veerapandi, Pooluvapatti, Vagarampalayam and Irugur.

Dr. Senthilkumar said his teams would concentrate on the suburbs along the city's border. With the conference being held in the city, similar measures might be carried out by the health wing of the Coimbatore Corporation.

As for the Tamil conference, another request had been made to appoint 120 contract workers. Sixty workers each would be used for separate drives for mosquito and fly control.

The specific focus on mosquitoes was because of the timing of the conference. “The monsoon (South West Monsoon) arrives in June and that is the time when stagnant rain water becomes breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he pointed out.

In addition to these efforts, the department would also provide chlorine to the local bodies along the city's border to ensure that drinking water was safe. “Our officials would also check whether the chlorination is sufficient,” Dr. Senthilkumar said. The cost of the entire programme, comprising the drive against mosquitoes and flies, the chlorination of water and wages for workers, was estimated at Rs.1.5 crore. A special officer might be appointed to oversee the work.

No screening

Dr. Senthilkumar said there would be no screening of people coming from outside Coimbatore to participate in the conference. “All those coming from other countries will have to follow the international health regulations while travelling. Therefore, a fresh screening may not be necessary,” he said.

The healthcare apparatus would be ready to deal with occurrence of diseases. As many as 24 health teams would be on duty.